Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-12-03
Won by the Vets The Prohibitionists
Defeated.

Won by the Vets The Prohibtionists
| Defeated.
ATLANTA, GA.-At early dawn Sat-
ruday last bands of women stationed
themselves at the six polls at which
the people were to vote upon the
question of the sale of liquor. AS
the first ballots began falling into the
boxes, the women began singing IA
miliar Methodist hymns All day
long the most remarkable scenes fol-
lowed. White women engaged in
conversation with negroes whom
they had never seen before, urging
them to deposit their ballots against
the sale. At one precinct was gath
cred representative bevy of women.
One girl, chubby-faced blonde and
blue-eyed, stood leaning against
door post, while with an arm turned
! around her white sisters waist stood
a colored Hebe, whose fine proper
tions were admired by all the men
| who passed.
As early as o'clock voters began
to congregate about the polling
places, and it is said that not few
spent the night at the polls. Before
7 O'Clock long lines formed at each of
the SIX city polls, and when the town
| clock struck I the balloting began.
Both sides had out number of car
riages, the ants placarded, Bring
prosp Gritty back to Atlanta; vote for
the sale" On the Prohibition car
riages was, For Prohibition" The
lunch rooms run under the auspices
of the Prohibition ladies were crowd
ed all morning, and good lunches
were furnished the men who worked at
the polls. A band of little girls.
wearing blue badges, marched up to
the court house at 1890 o'clock and
sang several hymns. Quite sensa-
ton was caused by their appearance.
During the morning several women
and girls assembled near the voting
places, and as the voters would
march up to the polls they would
sing such songs as Bringing in the
Sheaves," "Jesus Will Carry You
Through" etc The singing was UNI
der the supervision OF Rev. III. III.
Borett, a member of the Hunter
Street Christian Church: Directly
behind the women and girls who
were singing was large sign posted
on the door of forme> VINE room,
Michigan beer on ica."
All the preachers worked hal..
with the crowds. The exhorters and
the politicians struggled with them
to vote dry, and with an enthusiasm
which would not brook restraint.
The voters broke away, and broke
away and voted for the sale. The
negroes especially resented what
they looked upon as an infringement
OF their personal rights. The hero
OF the day was Captain Evan p. How
ell Wherever he appeared great
crowds would gather around him.
Towards night the women and the
preachers began TO retire and by 5
O'Clock the fight was given up The
official majority for the sale is lao.
Both sides had full campaign funds
and managed their respective causes
for all they were worth The negro
vote was the bone of contention and
was the balance ofpower. Each had
made the most strenuous endeavors
to secure it in every way possible.
The negroes were considerably divid-
ed on the subject, though majority
of them voted with the anti-Prohibi-
tionists.
The principal fight made on Pro-
hibition during the campaign was
that it did not prohibit, and that in
toXicating drinks could be openly
purchased in a number Of places
throughout the city which paid tax
es to the United States Government
on the sale OF whiskey. Thousands
of gallons have been sent in each
month from cities around Atlanta,
from which it was almost as easy to
get in jugs as it was at bars. in the
city.